Wildlife Research Lead

Reports to:  Director of Wildlife & Habitat

Department:  Lands & Conservation (Mission)

Classification: Exempt

This position is a full time position and will be located at our headquarters in Missoula, MT and will not be remote. 

Job Summary:

Serve as leading wildlife researcher to advance RMEF’s wildlife management program goals. Identify and track key natural resource issues impacting RMEF stakeholders, big game species and their habitat. Oversee data collection and research efforts to better understand challenges facing big game populations across the U.S. and provide guidance to prioritize RMEF land conservation, habitat stewardship, wildlife management work.   

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a scientific resource for RMEF staff, members and the public. Keep organization and members informed of scientific advances and translate the science.
• Provide scientific leadership and big game management expertise among various sectors of the natural resource management and research community.
• Coordinate closely with state wildlife agencies, federal land management agencies and key researchers.
• Serves as a conduit of information for big game and habitat managers throughout North America.
• Represent the RMEF at local, regional and national meetings regarding wildlife research and management and related fields of resource management.
• Recommend priority research needs to advance big game conservation and management.
• Lead and facilitate big game and habitat studies – develop and implement research plans, interpret statistical data, write reports, publish in scientific journals.

Supervision of Others:  

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Responsibilities: 

Represent the RMEF at local, regional and national meetings that deal with wildlife management and related fields of research and resource management. Attend appropriate training and organizational meetings as required. Develop and monitor budgets. Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: 

Must have a minimum of a B.S. in wildlife management or closely related field. A minimum of 5 years experience working directly in wildlife research and management is required and direct experience with big game species. An advanced degree is preferred. Demonstrated experience in leading wildlife research projects from design to implementation, analysis and publication of results is required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge and support of RMEF mission, goals, organizational structure and activities.
• Considerable knowledge wildlife management practices to include wildlife ecology, population dynamics, sampling techniques, methodology, habitat management, wildlife diseases, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Ability to translate science and communicate to diverse audiences and conduct professional presentations.
• Ability to represent RMEF in a professional manner.
• Proficient in managing databases and in use of Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS. Experience using various analytical platforms preferred (e.g., R, data visualization, ArcGIS or other spatial mapping and analysis platforms, etc.).
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision and to remain focused on goals and objectives. Ability to work as a team player, as well as lead a project, and strive to cooperatively accomplish a task.
• Ability to perceive and establish long-term goals, to develop and implement programs that are cohesive, progressive and that are mission oriented.

Physical Demands:

The employee must sit or stand for long periods of time, use a computer terminal and telephone, reach forward and to the side; bend from both standing and sitting position and lift items weighing various pounds, including some heavy lifting. Travel will be required. Work will occasionally require more than the standard number of hours per week to perform essential duties of the position and require occasional irregular hours both during the week and on weekends.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance of the job. It is not to be constructed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements.